Hemispheric asymmetries in recognition memory for negative and neutral words
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Data
2011
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Edições Universitárias Lusófonas
Resumo
Federmeier and Benjamin (2005) have suggested that semantic encoding for verbal information
in the right hemisphere can be more effective when memory demands are higher. However,
other studies (Kanske & Kotz, 2007) also suggest that visual word recognition differ in
function of emotional valence. In this context, the present study was designed to evaluate the
effects of retention level upon recognition memory processes for negative and neutral words.
Sample consisted of 15 right-handed undergraduate portuguese students with normal or
corrected to normal vision. Portuguese concrete negative and neutral words were selected in
accordance to known linguistic capabilities of the right hemisphere. The participants were
submitted to a visual half-field word presentation using a continuous recognition memory
paradigm. Eye movements were continuously monitored with a Tobii T60 eye-tracker that
showed no significant differences in fixations to negative and neutral words. Reaction times in
word recognition suggest an overall advantage of negative words in comparison to the neutral
words. Further analysis showed faster responses for negative words than for neutral words
when were recognised at longer retention intervals for left-hemisphere encoding.
Electrophysiological data through event related potentials revealed larger P2 amplitude over
centro-posterior electrode sites for words studied in the left hemifield suggesting a priming
effect for right-hemisphere encoding. Overall data suggest different hemispheric memory
strategies for the semantic encoding of negative and neutral words.
Descrição
Journal of Eye Tracking, Visual Cognition and Emotion
Palavras-chave
NEUROCIÊNCIAS, PROCESSAMENTO DE INFORMAÇÃO, MEMÓRIA, PSICOLOGIA, NEUROSCIENCES, INFORMATION PROCESSING, MEMORY, PSYCHOLOGY